Blog Roll

August 22-24 Amazing Arachnids in Spiders Alive!

Arachnophobes and ’philes alike will get a kick out of the spectacular spiders featured in the live animal exhibition Spiders Alive! —20 species of live arachnids (including 16 spider species, two scorpion species, a vinegaroon, and African whip spiders), ranging from the reclusive trapdoor spider to the goliath bird eater spider, one of the biggest spiders in the world.

Spiders evolved more than 300 million years ago, long before dinosaurs walked on Earth, and scientists have identified more than 44,500 spider species so far!

True or false: spiders have good eyesight.

False! Nearly all have eight simple eyes, but for the most part, don't see very well. In most cases, spiders use other senses, like touch and smell, to help capture prey. Learn more in our Spiders: True or False?

Museum staff will be presenting live arachnids, including the Chilean rose hair tarantula (Grammostola rosea) and the emperor scorpion (Pandinus imperator), for visitors to see up close.

Scope out spiders in their habitats and get up close with amazing arachnids, like the Chilean rose hair tarantula and emperor scorpion, in live presentations by Museum staff that take place throughout the day.

This climbable spider model is 50 times the life size of a trapdoor spider (Cyclocosmia torreya).

To cap off your arachnid adventure, jump up on the climbable spider model, a trapdoor spider enlarged to 50 times life size.

Check out this video of Curator Norman Platnick as he answers pressing spider questions such as, “Is it better to be bitten by a black widow or a brown recluse?” and “Why don’t spiders get stuck in their own webs?”

Spiders Alive! is open now through November 2. Purchase your tickets today.